anytime you add rear fill it pulls the soundstage back.... or as you put it it had the "surround effect" with rear fill its like having the center stereo image in your head, where as with just a proper front fill the center image is in front of you..... much the same way a hi-fi stereo is setup. you don't see people running rear fill with descreete 2 channel stereo setups why should a car be any different. I would recomend keeping the rear fill in and hooked up to the H/U that way you car run the front fill full tilt and fade it a notch or two to the back. I would recomend at least the Soundline SLC 5x7's for a drop in replacement.... if you have more $$$ and some fab skills the germaniums are what alot of people run, if you got even more $$$ to blow spend accordingly

 

Ok, So I go with the SLC 238 Soundline 5x7's. But can anyone tell me the difference in sound quality vs. value for the money between these models:

Germanium CS265.25 6.5"

Powerline CMX265 6.5"

Powerline CS275.27 6.9"

CS Profi 365 6.5"

 

I havn't heard the other rainbow brands but I jumped at the chance to buy some from another member. Everyone that has owned rainbows even on other forums suggest the germs. I have 450w RMS running at each of my germs and they sound awesome. Seriously I can't stand to keep them running full volume it's just too loud but clear as a bell.

 

I would recomend the Germs for the above average system, the powerlines and profis are really only for the insane people who have the power, money and skill needed to utilaze them properly. *not for the faint of heart* the germs will be better than ANYTHING the little punks are buying with mommies money at BB CC or any other national chain

 

I would still like to listen to a set of Germs somehow...All the good I hear about them, but Ive never listened to them. Im sure they are nothing short of spectacular though...


Also, if you get a very strong front stage (good components with lots of power) it can really help if you like that 'sound all around you' feeling. Not to mention some good imaging.

 

Ok, so I go with the Germaniums. Will 75W per speaker supply the right amount of power? If not, how much power do they need?

Also, you mentioned fab skills. My intention was to have a local audio shop do the install. Any suggestions or tips I need to pass along to them?

 

75w will work, but the germs tend to thrive on ~300w for each speaker

 

Oww! Then I am going in the wrong direction. I don't need 600W blasting me from 1 ft. away.

I am only in search of better sound quality and loudness, than the factory provides. I want cleaner sound and I want to be able to hear the radio with the windows down going 65mph. I don't want to wake the neighborhood.

I am only going to have 150W going to 1 10" sub. I am looking for a set of speakers that give clean sound and loudness from 75W each. I already have the amp.

I had a set of 6.5" Rockford Fosgates, 6x9 Rockford Fosgates, 2 - 10" JL subs and a Sony 75x4 amp in my last car. I had 75W going to the front 6.5"s, 150W bridged going to the 2 subs and the HU powered the rear 6x9s.

That setup was louder than I needed, but didn't have a lot of sound quality. So I am looking for the same or less volume, but better clarity.

 

well, when it comes to the germs, that 300w is what "enhances" the quality and imaging of the front sound stage, not neccesarilly for "loudness".

 

I hate pluging brands becuse everyone has their own oppinion but heres mine, I have rainbows CMX's,no rear fill and love my set up I have some crap infinitys back their and only fade it back when the truck is full of people other then that its no rear fill

 

By no means do you need mass amounts of power. Sure, 300 or so watts a side might really kick some ****, but not everyone needs it. Heck, Im down to only 100 watts a side on my Profis. Although they do kick **** with some more power, I sure dont need it...

 

Well I just about decided to go with the 6.5" Germaniums, 5x7 SLCs, and the JL stealthbox. But the more research I do, the more undecided I become. So I have a few more questions.

1. What would be the best amp for the setup I have above?

2. Will the ported JL stealthbox perform well if I have stuff under the rear seat?

3. If I stay with the JL amp 300/4, that I already have, should I step down to a lower line of Rainbows?

 

What do you guys think about me running this amp:

JL Audio 500/5 - Five channel amp

100W RMS x 2 - 6.5" Germs

25W RMS x 2 - 5x7 SLCs

250W RMS x 1 - JL Stealthbox

OR

JL Audio 450/4 - Four channel amp

150W RMS x 2 - 6.5" Germs

150W RMS x 1 - Jl Stealthbox

 

steer clear of the multi channel amps. I made that mistake and now I have a 5 channel amp collecting dust here. Your best upgrade bet is to get a single mono channel sub amp and then a solid 4 channel that you can bridge the channels on.

Figure your budget with what you want and what's left for the undecided.

 

If you're going to get germs get a 4 chanel Audison amp. That is what i am running. I think i have 70 to each tweet and 70 to each 6.5 woofer and couldnt be happier and i'm a teenager who loves to listen to loud music and that by far gets it done.